Online Psychological Therapy
English & Italian
HCPC Registered Psychologist
IFS-trained Clinical Psychologist (L1)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
About Therapy
About Practicalities
What is IFS (Internal Family Systems) therapy?
IFS — Internal Family Systems — is a therapeutic model developed by Dr Richard Schwartz that understands the mind as naturally made up of different "parts." You might recognise this in everyday language: part of you wants to rest, part of you feels guilty for resting. Part of you wants to open up; another part shuts down before you can. Rather than trying to silence or override these parts, IFS works by building a compassionate, curious relationship with them. Each part has a history, a purpose, and something it is trying to protect you from — even when its methods are no longer helpful. At the centre of this work is what IFS calls the Self: a calm, grounded part of you that is always there, even when it feels buried. Therapy in IFS creates the conditions for your Self to lead, so that the parts of you carrying pain, fear, or shame no longer have to work so hard. IFS is well-researched and has a growing evidence base, particularly for trauma, anxiety, depression, and self-critical patterns. It works well alongside other approaches, and I draw on it as a core part of my integrative practice.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no fixed number, and I would be wary of anyone who tells you otherwise before they have met you. Some people come for a few months to work through something specific. Others stay longer, particularly when the work involves trauma, longstanding patterns, or a fuller process of self-understanding. We will check in regularly on how things are progressing, and you are always free to end therapy when it feels right for you — there is no minimum commitment.
What can I expect in my first session?
The first session — and sometimes the second — is an assessment. Which sounds more formal than it is. Think of it as a conversation where I get to understand you more fully, and you get to experience how I work. I will ask questions about what has brought you here, a bit about your history, what you have already tried, and what you are hoping therapy might give you. You do not need to have any of it perfectly articulated. "I just know something isn't right" is a completely valid place to start. You can also ask me anything — how I work, what the process might look like, how long things might take. After the assessment, we decide together what the best approach looks like for you. There is no single template. What we do, and how we do it, will be shaped by what you bring.
What is your cancellation policy?
I ask for at least 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel or rearrange a session. Sessions cancelled with less notice than this, or missed without notice, are charged in full. This is not a punitive policy — it reflects that your slot is held for you each week, and it allows me to offer the space to someone else if you genuinely cannot make it. If you are paying through insurance, please bear in mind that insurers do not cover late cancellations or missed sessions — this cost would need to be paid by you directly.
Do you work with ADHD and people on the autism spectrum?
Yes. I work with adults who have a diagnosis of ADHD or autism, those currently going through the assessment process, and those who strongly identify with traits of either but have not pursued a formal diagnosis. I am trained to carry out ADHD and autism assessments, though I am not currently offering these as part of my practice — if this is something you are looking for, I am happy to point you in the right direction. ADHD and autism in adults often look different to how people expect, particularly in those who have spent years masking, compensating, or working twice as hard to keep up with a world that was not built with their brain in mind. This can show up as chronic disorganisation, sensory overwhelm, emotional intensity, burnout, difficulty finishing things you once cared about, or a persistent sense of being out of step with everyone around you. Therapy will not replace a formal assessment, but it can offer something an assessment alone cannot: space to work through the emotional weight of all this — the shame, the exhaustion of masking, the grief of a late diagnosis, and the process of building a life that actually fits how your mind works, rather than one that punishes you for it. I work from a neuro-affirming perspective. That means I am not here to fix you (there is no such thing in therapy). I am here to work with you, as you are.
Do you offer a sliding scale?
Yes, I hold a small number of sliding-scale spaces for people who would otherwise be unable to access therapy. These are limited and depend on availability at any given time. If cost is a barrier for you, it is worth asking — the worst that happens is I do not currently have a space, and in that case I will try my best to point you towards another practitioner who might be able to work within your budget.
Can I have therapy in Italian?
Yes — I offer therapy in both English and Italian. I am Italian by background and training, and I am fluent in both languages professionally and personally. Sessions can be conducted entirely in Italian, in English, or switching between the two as feels natural. This matters more than it might seem. Emotional experience is language-shaped. The words we learned to describe our inner world as children — the way we were spoken to, the phrases that still carry weight — often do not translate cleanly. Many of my Italian-speaking clients describe a sense of relief at being able to work in the language that feels closest to the feeling. I particularly welcome Italians living in the UK who are navigating the psychological complexity of expat life: the particular loneliness of belonging fully to neither place, the effort of performing competence in a second language every day, the distance from family, and the identity questions that living abroad tends to surface. If you would like to work in Italian, simply say so when you get in touch — we can begin from there.
Should I use my insurance or pay privately?
Both are options, and the right one depends on your circumstances. I am registered with Bupa, AXA, Aviva, and Cigna, which means many clients can claim some or all of their sessions back. If you are using insurance, you will usually need to check your policy for session limits, excess, and whether you need a GP referral first — your insurer can confirm this. Paying privately gives you more flexibility around session frequency, length of work, and timing, without needing pre-authorisation. If you are not sure which makes sense for you, I am happy to talk it through.
How is a psychologist different from a counsellor or therapist?
This is a question worth asking, and in the UK the answer actually matters. The title "therapist" or "counsellor" is not legally protected in the UK — meaning anyone can use it, regardless of training. The title "psychologist," however, is protected by law. To call yourself a psychologist in the UK, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which requires accredited postgraduate training, supervised clinical hours, and ongoing professional development. I hold registration with the HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist (registration number PYL040562), and I am a member of the British Psychological Society (BPS). I also hold dual qualifications from the University of Bologna and London South Bank University. In practice, this means: - I am accountable to a regulatory body and a code of professional conduct - My training is assessed and accredited — not self-certified - I am eligible to work with insurance providers (Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Cigna) who require HCPC registration - You can verify my registration at any time on the HCPC public register This does not mean that counsellors or therapists cannot do good work — many do. But if these distinctions matter to you, or if you are using private insurance, they are worth knowing.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Yes — and the research backs this up. A growing body of evidence, including peer-reviewed studies comparing online and in-person therapy directly, has found no meaningful difference in outcomes. Symptom relief, the quality of the therapeutic relationship, how well people feel they are functioning — none of these appear to be significantly affected by whether therapy happens through a screen or in a room. In practice, many clients find online therapy easier to sustain. There is no commute, no waiting room, and no need to compose yourself before stepping back into your day. You can be somewhere that already feels like yours. That said, online therapy is not the right fit for everyone. If privacy at home is a concern, or if you are wondering whether it would work for your particular situation, I am happy to talk it through before we commit to anything. All of my sessions are online, via a secure, GDPR-compliant video platform. For further reading: Greenwood et al. (2022), JMIR Mental Health — available open access at doi.org/10.2196/31780